Psalm 78:34-39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:9-39

In these verses, I. The psalmist observes the late rebukes of Providence that the people of Israel had been under, which they had brought upon themselves by their dealing treacherously with God, Ps. 78:9-11. The children of Ephraim, in which tribe Shiloh was, though they were well armed and shot with bows, yet turned back in the day of battle. This seems to refer to that shameful defeat which the Philistines gave them in Eli's time, when they took the ark prisoner, 1 Sam. 4:10, 11. Of this the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:34

When he slew them ,.... Some of them, the spies particularly; or when he threatened to slay them, or was about to do it: then they sought him ; that is, those who either survived the slain, or were threatened with destruction; these sought the Lord by prayer and supplication, that he would not destroy them; the Targum is, "they repented and sought him;' see Numbers 14:37 , and they returned ; from their evil ways, and by repentance, at least in show and appearance: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:35

And they remembered that God was their Rock ,.... Who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, had strengthened them against them, and supported and protected them, as well as supplied them with all good things, of whom they had been greatly unmindful; but affliction was a means of refreshing their memory; see Deuteronomy 32:15 , and the high God their Redeemer ; who had redeemed them out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, with a high hand and a mighty arm, and thereby... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless, they did flatter him with their mouth ,.... In prayer to him, they only drew nigh to him with their mouths, and honoured him with their lips; they showed much love to him and his ways and ordinances hereby; but their hearts were not with him, but after their lusts; they made fine speeches and fair promises, but their hearts and mouths did not agree; they spoke with a double heart, thinking and endeavouring to "deceive" the Lord, as the word F2 ויפתוהו "quamvis conarentur... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:37

For their heart was not right with him ,.... Neither prepared and ready to any good work, but reprobate thereunto; nor steady, fixed, and established, as a good man's heart is, trusting in the Lord; but wavering, fickle, and inconstant; nor true, faithful, and upright; but turning aside like a deceitful bow, as is afterwards said, Psalm 78:57 , neither were they steadfast in his covenant ; which was made with them at Sinai, though they promised to be obedient, and to do all the Lord... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:38

But he, being full of compassion ,.... Or merciful; having bowels of mercy, as a tender mother to the son of her womb; a word from the same root as this signifies the womb: the mercies of God are tender and abundant; there is a multitude of them; he is rich and plenteous in mercy, and so ready to forgive; hence it follows, forgave their iniquity ; forgiveness of sin flows from the tender mercy of God; it is according to the multitude of his mercies, and the riches of his grace; yet is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:39

For he remembered that they were but flesh ,.... Or "children of flesh", as the Targum; poor, frail, weak, mortal creatures, unable to bear the weight of his displeasure, the stroke of his hand, and the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his wrath; that they must be crushed before him, and would sink, and fail, and die; see Psalm 103:14 , or that they were naturally sinful and corrupt, prone to evil, easily drawn into sin; it was what their depraved natures inclined unto;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:34

When he slew them - While his judgments were upon them, then they began to humble themselves, and deprecate his wrath. When they saw some fall, the rest began to tremble. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:35

That God was their rock - They recollected in their affliction that Jehovah was their Creator, and their Father; the Rock, the Source, not only of their being, but of all their blessings; or, that he was their sole Protector. And the high God their Redeemer - גאלם עליון ואל veel elyon goalam , "And the strong God the Most High, their kinsman." That one who possessed the right of redemption; the nearest akin to him who had forfeited his inheritance; so the word originally means, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth - What idea could such people have of God, whom they supposed they could thus deceive? They promised well, they called him their God, and their fathers' God; and told him how good, and kind, and merciful he had been to them. Thus, their mouth flattered him. And they said that, whatever the Lord their God commanded them to do, they would perform. And they lied unto him - I think the Vulgate gives the true sense of the Hebrew: Dilexerunt... read more

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